What is Greener Bermondsey?

A grassroots group made up of anyone who lives or works in Bermondsey, looking to tackle the climate emergency by lowering the carbon footprint of Bermondsey and from the grassroots up through different initiatives

Who can get involved?

Anyone can get involved but this is aimed towards anyone from Bermondsey (and we love Rotherhithe...and Borough, Southbank, maybe the Elephant...oh and Walworth... anywhere along the Old Kent Road). Perhaps we should say Bermondsey and friends? Local organisations, schools and businesses please also jump in.

How much time does it take?

You can get involved to any degree you like. Perhaps you are passionate about an area, say reducing plastics. Then you can get involved with that part of the group. Maybe you want to learn something new and dip into several parts of the group. Perhaps you can't commit regular time and just want to dip in now and again. Or maybe you want a piece of all parts of the pie. It's entirely up to you.

What are the current topics that Greener Bermondsey is looking in to?

All of these topics are interrelated and sometimes the issue in one area is resolved by actions in another.

1. Celebrating a Bermondsey hero - 100 years since Ada Salter and her Beautification Committee. in 2022 it will be a century since she was elected as Bermondsey's first female mayor.

2. Greening - this is around gardening, dramatically increasing tree cover, community gardening initiatives especially on estates, planting those grotty spots in both public and private spaces.

3. Plastic reduction - finding easy ways for families and businesses to reduce plastic in their lives and supply chains. Some of this includes lobbying and building relationships with green alternatives

4. Air pollution reduction - of course this is larger than Bermondsey but air pollution is hyper local. So what can we do to better design the way people, goods and services move around our area. How can we work together to enable better and easier choices in transport for all our neighbours

5. Recycling - It's all a bit confusing. Why is everyone's instructions different? Is there something we can do better?

6. Urban Farming and food production - Time to shorten those supply chains and get Bermondsey on the map for sustainable production, support for local residents and businesses, and an opportunity to experiment.

7. A plan for Bermondsey - a plan which every resident, business and the council can sign up to which dramatically reduces our carbon footprint and promotes positive ecology. This starts with working out how to and measuring our current carbon footprint

How do I get involved?

E-mail us at greenerbermondsey@gmail.com

Connect and message via social media (@BermondseyGreen on Twitter, @GreenerBermondsey on Instagram)

Or call one of the local Bermondsey councillors (Humaira 07731340208, Damian 07985116257, William 07731340235)

Tulip FAQs

Q: Where can we plant these bulbs?

A: Ada Salter’s old Bermondsey, Bermondsey and Rotherhithe. When you collect your bulns please add a dot to the map where you plan to plant yours.

Q: What are the planting instructions?

A: The sheet that is stapled to the top of the bag contains instructions as well as something about Ada and the Beautification Committee

Q: When do we plant these bulbs?

A: Late October, early November. When you collected your bulbs you would have given us your e-mail so we can send you a reminder. If you didn't and have now changed your mind then please e-mail greenerbermondsey@gmail.com and we’ll send a reminder

Q: Can I take more than a bag of bulbs as I want to plant a larger areaeg a communal garden, estate etc.

A: People can take more, or if they plan to take for friends or family who are unable to attend. If you want to plant a larger area or have a planting day then leave us your details and we can arrange for you to have a larger number of bulbs. IF you missed the festival and would like more to run a community planting session, please e-mail us at greenerbermondsey@gmail.com

Q: Where should we plant these bulbs?

A: As per the instructions they need to be planted somewhere where at least 20 people will see them. Plant anywhere you like except for public parks (we are working with Southwark Council to do something). Ideal spots are abandoned, empty or grotty places on the roadside, under trees, along alleyways, on your estate. Equally do plant in your garden or balcony box if at least 20 people will be able to see them when they grow.

Q: Is there anything else I need to do?

A: Two things - When they flower please get a selfie of yourself with your tulips and post them to Twitter or Instagram with the #Ada100 hashtag and the location of where you are. Please also send to greenerbermondsey@gmail.com so that we can post up on the website.

Also, please join Greener Bermondsey. We all love a little competition - it's a really exciting time as we all try to lower the carbon footprint of our community. We'd love to get Bermondsey on the map in the 21st Century for all the right reasons.